Development of clindamycin-loaded alginate/pectin/hyaluronic acid composite hydrogel film for the treatment of MRSA-infected wounds

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection on wounds possesses a high risk in increased cases of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Antibiotic-loaded composite biopolymer film wound dressings are one approach to cover the chronic wound area, promote the healing process, and create suitable healing environments. In this study, we developed clindamycin (Cly)-loaded composite biopolymer films using hydrogel-forming biopolymers, such as sodium alginate (SA), pectin (P), and hyaluronic acid (HA) for the treatment of MRSA-infected wounds. Composite films were prepared using a solvent casting method. Cly-loaded composites hydrogel films were evaluated for their physical properties (e.g., film thickness, surface morphology, pH, water vapor transmission, expansion profile, and fluid uptake), in vitro drug release, in vitro bactericidal effects, and in vivo wound healing activity in an ICR mouse model of MRSA-infected wounds. Thin, transparent, and highly absorbent Cly-loaded SA-P (Cly/SA-P) and Cly-loaded SA-P-HA (Cly/SA-P-HA) film dressings were successfully prepared with good physical properties. The Cly/SA-P and Cly/SA-P-HA films exhibited drug release over 12 h under immersed conditions and potent antibacterial activity against MRSA (> 5 log reduction in bacterial viability). Furthermore, compared with the other groups, the Cly/SA-P-HA-treated group significantly accelerated the healing and re-epithelialization of wounds in a mouse model of MRSA-infected wounds. All prepared film dressings were not toxic to healthy fibroblast cells. Thus, the Cly-loaded composite hydrogel film prepared in this study could be a promising wound dressing for the treatment of infected cutaneous wounds.